Korean Job Discussion Forums

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

The yellow dust so far has been pretty minor where i live in the south, hardly noticeable.

Danielos · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Gumi

Now I know why I felt sick this morning. There was a haze over Gumi today. Hopefully everything will settle down soon.

kozzlow · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: Gangnam

This yellow sand is scary stuff. I'm in the States now but I'm coming to Korea soon. Is there something I should bring to protect myself against it ?
I get asthma really bad when I'm around smokers and I think dust makes my lungs worse. Now I'm a little worried. How bad does it get ?

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Guest · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:06 am Post subject:

kozzlow,
i was about to write that i wouldn't stress about it, because it may sound worse in writing than what it actually is. (and i think thats very possible. i mean its dusty, but its not like as vivid as the imagination can make it)
but then, i have no medical background, so i guess whats important is where you're heading, and maybe someone could get you in touch with a korean doctor, just to get a medical opinion.
anyway, from what i can see in inchon, a lot of koreans hardly seem to take note of it, and i've seen only a few young children and older people with protective face masks.

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

We got it in downtown Daegu on Thursday. Strange fog, the air feels a little cool and damp, slight muddy taste in the mouth and scratchy eyes. I think it's worse in areas with fewer trees. Didn't seem so bad on Friday and today.

desultude · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:14 am Post subject:

I guess being out here in west Daegu, in the pines, helps, because I never saw it, and I am mondo sensitive to pollution. I'm usually downtown teaching in the afternoon, but not on Thursday this week. Good luck, I guess.

batman · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 5:06 am Post subject:

I never really noticed it in Busan.
(damn, I really am getting homesick for the old homestead)
In my new location it is really noticeable.
That muddy taste in the throat goes well with the taste of exhaust.
Eyes are bothered and been finding it difficult to breath too.

If it lasts much longer I might go for the Micheal Jackson look.
(of course then I will have to change robin's name to blanket and teach him the joy of dangling from high places...)

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

But it does make a dramatic sunset.

batman · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 5:12 am Post subject:

Nice photograph.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Thanks - 6:27pm this evening. Full image here:

http://220.69.12.84/yellowdust.jpg

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

The male Korean teacher said concerning yellow sand, "in China they would think this is NOTHING".
I was in Incheon a couple of years ago when the yellow sand arrived one Spring and it was yellow fog world! Man, it was thick. Couldn't see a block, seriously.
In Ulsan where there'd be a panoramic view of the sea and ships visibility is reduced to a mile. That was today, Saturday.
It bugs me. It bugs the kids. Sore throat, they say.
Seems kind of strangely apolcalyptic. Hmm. Cadmium among heavy metals. One shot!

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:56 am Post subject:

The yellow sand from China is just another reason I'm glad to live in the southeast rather than the northwest.

I guess it just makes Seoul all the more an interesting place to live Surprised

Alex Buffa · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea

I went to Lotte mart and purchased an air purifier / ionizer

cost a mere 512,000won for a 40 pyong model....my place feels GREAT compared to outside. The machines will keep your house and bedroom dust levels alot lower, and when you're sleeping will make sure its clear of dust and other pollution and smells.

Well worth the money and saves your lungs.

Alex

peppergirl · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

Hmm, maybe I should get one of those air purifiers... might help keep out pollen in spring/summer too.

Last year I was in Sapporo, Japan and we also had yellow sand there. Not as much or as many days as in Korea of course.